'There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence to which the idealist most easily succumbs: activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many… Continue reading Contemplation in a world of reaction – by Ian Geary
Category: Ethics & Christian living
‘A thorn in the side of comfortable socialism’: an appreciation of Bob Holman (1936-2016) – by Dave Wiles
Photo by Ffion Scott on Pexels.com I first met Bob Holman in 1973. Following on from a turbulent adolescence I had experienced a radical conversion to Christianity. At the same time Bob was considering his future as Professor of Social Administration at Bath University. With an amazing sense of vocation from him and Annette, he… Continue reading ‘A thorn in the side of comfortable socialism’: an appreciation of Bob Holman (1936-2016) – by Dave Wiles
Cakes, prophets and freedom of belief – by Lizzie Schofield
Photo by Brent Keane on Pexels.com Ashers Baking Co. in Northern Ireland were taken to court for refusing to decorate a cake with the words "Support Gay Marriage" because it went against their Christian beliefs. The judge ruled this was discriminatory and Ashers lost. With this 'progressive' ruling passed, I'm off to Golders Green to get… Continue reading Cakes, prophets and freedom of belief – by Lizzie Schofield
Comforting the disturbed, and disturbing the comfortable
There are plenty of reasons why Christianity, especially in Western countries, is perceived as a religion of the rich and powerful. Over the last two thousand years, a huge amount of unhelpful cultural and historical baggage has accumulated around Christianity. The best antidote is to return to the Bible and be reminded of what Jesus actually said and… Continue reading Comforting the disturbed, and disturbing the comfortable
I am a Muslim who believes in Christ’s love for all – by Soraya Deen
I love Christmas. This year we assembled and lit our tree. On Christmas day my Jewish friend came over with her son and we did a gift exchange and had a great brunch. There is no way we forget to celebrate Christmas in our Muslim home. I was born in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is… Continue reading I am a Muslim who believes in Christ’s love for all – by Soraya Deen
Five Helps for the New Year
I was really struck by reading these 'Five Helps for the New Year' shared on Facebook recently by Mark Bryant, the Bishop of Jarrow. They were written by Michael Ramsey, (right) who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961-74, for his clergy. They are full of deep spiritual insight and good sense. I want to hold onto them as… Continue reading Five Helps for the New Year
‘A revolution of the heart’ – Remembering Dorothy Day
Today is the 35th anniversary of the death of the radical catholic activist, Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker movement in the 1930s. She was a journalist who, after converting to Catholicism, worked in New York, running a house of hospitality for homeless people and working for peace through her writing, protest and civil disobedience. She… Continue reading ‘A revolution of the heart’ – Remembering Dorothy Day
Christmas Pretox: a pre-emptive strike on festive busyness
‘I want to simplify your lives. When others are telling you to read more, I want to tell you to read less; when others are telling you to do more, I want to tell you to do less. The world does not need more of you; it needs more of God. Your friends do not… Continue reading Christmas Pretox: a pre-emptive strike on festive busyness
A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
This week a Church of England report was published called 'Talking Jesus'. One finding of this report, highlighted by The Guardian, is that when Christians talk to others about Jesus, it is more likely to turn them off than attract them. So how can Christians share their faith in ways that are relevant and do not make people squirm with embarrassment?… Continue reading A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
The church that gives away assault rifles to whoever brings along the most new people
When I speak with Muslim friends in the UK, they will often express horror and disbelief at the terrible atrocities they see being done in the name of their faith by extreme Islamists. Sometimes, I have a similar experience as a Christian too... Yesterday a friend of mine, Mark Perrott, who now lives in the US, visited the… Continue reading The church that gives away assault rifles to whoever brings along the most new people
Grace + Truth 